From dense forests to picturesque small towns, Vancouver offers a versatile backdrop that can effortlessly transform into any setting required by filmmakers. Additionally, the city’s proximity to Hollywood, coupled with its skilled workforce and world-class production facilities, makes it an attractive choice for both large-scale productions and indie projects alike. From sci-fi adventures to gripping dramas, here are the top 12 TV series that have utilized Vancouver’s stunning locales to captivate audiences worldwide.
Supernatural
Genre: Supernatural Drama
Featuring the adventures of the Winchester brothers hunting demons, ghosts, and other supernatural entities, “Supernatural” boasts an impressive 15-season run. Vancouver’s atmospheric landscapes often stood in for the eerie small towns and haunted forests the brothers traversed.
Filming Locations:
Stanley Park: This urban park offers lush forests and scenic views, frequently used for outdoor scenes.
Riverview Hospital: This abandoned mental health facility provides a haunting backdrop for the show’s supernatural encounters.
Gastown: Vancouver’s historic district adds an atmospheric touch to the series’ urban settings.
Virgin River
Genre: Romance/Drama
Set in the quaint fictional town of Virgin River, this heartwarming Netflix series follows nurse practitioner Melinda Monroe as she starts a new life in a small Northern California town. While the show is primarily set in California, many of its outdoor scenes are filmed in and around Vancouver, utilizing the city’s natural beauty to create the idyllic backdrop for the series’ small-town charm and romantic escapades.
Filming Locations:
Murdo Frazer Park: This picturesque park, located in Vancouver’s North Shore, serves as the setting for Mel’s iconic cozy cabin, providing the perfect backdrop for the series’ romantic escapades and small-town charm.
Photos and video © Suitcase and a Passport
Snug Cove, Bowen Island: This charming harbor on Bowen Island often stands in for the fictional town of Virgin River, with its quaint shops and scenic waterfront.
Cleveland Dam: Located in North Vancouver, the dam and surrounding parklands offer stunning views of the Capilano River and dense forests, providing additional filming locations for outdoor scenes in the series.
The X-Files
Genre: Science Fiction/Mystery
This iconic series, known for its paranormal investigations led by FBI agents Mulder and Scully, frequently utilized Vancouver’s rainy streets and dense forests to create an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.
Filming Locations:
Lynn Canyon Park: Known for its suspension bridge and deep canyons, Lynn Canyon Park often doubles as mysterious wooded areas in the series.
University of British Columbia (UBC) Campus: The university’s eclectic mix of modern and historic architecture serves as various locations, including government buildings and research facilities.
Britannia Beach: This coastal community provides a rugged backdrop for scenes set along the Pacific coastline.
Arrow
Genre: Superhero/Action
The CW’s hit series “Arrow,” part of the DC Comics Arrowverse, follows billionaire Oliver Queen as he fights crime as the vigilante Green Arrow. Vancouver’s urban landscape doubles as the crime-ridden Star City, providing a gritty backdrop for the show’s action-packed scenes.
Filming Locations:
Vancouver Art Gallery: This iconic building transforms into the exterior of Starling City’s police headquarters.
Queen Elizabeth Park: With its lush gardens and panoramic views of the city, this park serves as the verdant backdrop for many outdoor scenes.
Vancouver Public Library: The library’s distinctive architecture is often featured as various city landmarks in Star City.
The Flash
Genre: Superhero/Drama
Another Arrowverse favorite, “The Flash” chronicles the adventures of forensic scientist Barry Allen, who gains superhuman speed after a particle accelerator explosion. Vancouver’s diverse architecture and picturesque scenery bring Central City to life in this beloved series.
Filming Locations:
Vancouver City Hall: This modern building serves as the exterior for Central City Police Department.
Robson Square: The plaza and surrounding buildings often stand in for downtown Central City.
Central Park, Burnaby: This expansive urban park offers a variety of settings, including wooded areas and open fields, perfect for superhero showdowns.
Riverdale
Genre: Teen Drama/Mystery
Inspired by the iconic Archie Comics, “Riverdale” offers a modern twist on the classic characters, with a dark and mysterious storyline set in the seemingly idyllic town of Riverdale. Vancouver’s charming neighborhoods and lush surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for the show’s secrets and scandals.
Filming Locations:
Fort Langley: This historic village doubles as the quaint town of Riverdale, providing a charming small-town atmosphere.
Burnaby Mountain Secondary School: Used as the filming location for Riverdale High School, this real-life school captures the essence of small-town adolescence.
The Fraser River: Vancouver’s scenic river serves as the backdrop for many outdoor scenes set in Riverdale.
The Man in the High Castle
Genre: Alternate History/Drama
Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel, this Amazon Prime series depicts a world where the Axis Powers won World War II and divided the United States into Nazi and Japanese-controlled territories. Vancouver’s diverse architecture and stunning landscapes help create the dystopian atmosphere of this gripping drama.
Filming Locations:
The University of British Columbia (UBC) campus: Served as a prominent filming location for ‘The Man in the High Castle,’ providing the backdrop for government buildings and research facilities in the alternate history series. Its eclectic mix of modern and historic architecture added authenticity to the dystopian atmosphere portrayed in the show.
The Man In The High Castle filmed at UBC (Xicotencatl/Wikimedia)
Queen Elizabeth Theatre: The theater’s grand facade is featured in several scenes set in the Nazi-controlled territory.
Steveston Village: This historic fishing village in Richmond transforms into various 1960s-era settings, adding authenticity to the alternate history portrayed in the series.
Once Upon a Time
Genre: Fantasy/Drama
“Once Upon a Time” weaves together fairy tale characters living in the modern world, with Vancouver’s enchanting forests and charming towns providing the perfect backdrop for this magical series.
Filming Locations:
Steveston Village: Once again, this charming locale serves as the backdrop for the fictional town of Storybrooke, adding a touch of magic to its historic streets.
Burnaby Village Museum: This living history museum provides the perfect setting for fairy tale-inspired scenes, with its heritage buildings and period-appropriate decor.
Deer Lake Park: The park’s serene landscapes and tranquil lake often stand in for enchanted forests and magical realms in the series.
Battlestar Galactica
Genre: Science Fiction/Drama
Set in a distant galaxy, “Battlestar Galactica” follows the last remnants of humanity as they flee from the robotic Cylons in search of a mythical home called Earth. Vancouver’s rugged terrain and futuristic skyline lend authenticity to the show’s interstellar journey.
Filming Locations:
Simon Fraser University (SFU) Campus: This modern university campus is featured prominently as the setting for the series’ iconic Battlestar Galactica spacecraft.
Vancouver Film Studios: This state-of-the-art facility provides soundstages and production facilities for the series’ interior scenes and special effects.
Golden Ears Provincial Park: The park’s rugged terrain and stunning vistas serve as the backdrop for many of the series’ outdoor scenes set on alien planets.
The 100
Genre: Science Fiction/Drama
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, “The 100” follows a group of juvenile delinquents sent back to Earth to determine if it’s habitable after a nuclear apocalypse. Vancouver’s diverse landscapes, from lush forests to barren wastelands, provide the perfect backdrop for the characters’ survivalist adventures.
Filming Locations:
Mount Seymour Provincial Park: This wilderness area offers a rugged backdrop for the series’ post-apocalyptic setting, with its dense forests and rocky terrain.
Vancouver City Centre: The city’s urban landscapes are often used to depict the remnants of civilization in the series’ dystopian future.
Pitt River Quarries: These abandoned quarries provide the perfect setting for the show’s desolate landscapes and industrial ruins.
Smallville
Genre: Superhero/Drama
Before he became Superman, Clark Kent
navigated high school life in the small town of Smallville. Vancouver’s picturesque countryside and charming small towns perfectly captured the essence of Clark’s hometown, adding depth to this beloved superhero origin story.
Filming Locations:
Cloverdale: This suburban community in Surrey serves as the filming location for many of Smallville’s downtown scenes and residential neighborhoods.
Langley: The rural landscapes and farmlands of Langley provide the perfect backdrop for Smallville’s iconic Kent Farm.
Fort Langley: Once again, this historic village doubles as the backdrop for Smallville’s charming downtown area, adding authenticity to the series’ small-town setting.
Bates Motel
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Drama
Nestled within the genre of psychological thriller and drama, “Bates Motel” serves as a contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film “Psycho.” The series delves into the complex and often unsettling relationship between young Norman Bates and his mother, Norma, as they navigate the challenges of running a small motel in the seemingly peaceful town of White Pine Bay. With its blend of suspenseful storytelling, gripping character dynamics, and atmospheric cinematography, “Bates Motel” offers viewers a chilling glimpse into the origins of one of cinema’s most notorious villains.
Filming Locations:
Aldergrove, Langley: This rural area in Langley served as the primary filming location for the exterior shots of the iconic Bates Motel, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the series.
Fort Langley: Once again, this historic village provides the perfect backdrop for various scenes set in the town of White Pine Bay, where the Bates Motel is located.
Horseshoe Bay: This picturesque seaside community in West Vancouver served as the filming location for several outdoor scenes, adding depth to the coastal setting of the series.